Reeves leads girls to 8th place finish

Last Updated on Thursday, 23 May 2013 16:49
Written by Greg Viergutz
Thursday, 23 May 2013 16:33

It only takes a little digging to realize how impressive the performance was at the state track meet for Gothenburg sophomore Tiani Reeves.

After winning the Class B long jump gold medal last year, this year could have been seen as a disappointment. Reeves was limited to silver medals in two individual events and a bronze in another this time.

Still, a look at all-class performances adds perspective.

Reeves posted the third best long jump in all classes, the third best triple jump in all classes and the seventh best time in the 200-meter dash when all classes are compared.

“Tiani had an outstanding state meet,” said her coach and father Steve Reeves. “I’m really proud of the way she maintained her composure and kept competing. That showed in the 200 where she had a faster time than what she ran in the prelims and tied her own school record in the 200.”

The talented sophomore had trouble with her step in the long jump. She had a number of scratches but still went 17-11 to take second place.

Her distance for runner-up position in the triple jump was 37-11. She was clocked at a school-record-tying 25.43 seconds for third in the 200-meter dash.

Reeves’s efforts were overshadowed by Auburn senior Tierra Williams. The University of Nebraska-Lincoln track recruit exceeded 20 feet while winning the long jump. She also went over 39 feet to take the triple jump. Both of those earned the all-class gold medal. Plus, she was timed at 25.02 seconds for the Class B gold medal in the 200.

As a team, Gothenburg placed eighth in the meet with 29 points. Williams helped carry Auburn to the team championship with 56. Holdrege was the runner-up with 46 points.

While Reeves accomplished much in the individual events, her best performance may have come on the 1600 relay. She anchored the event for the Swedes with a time 57.3 seconds.

Joining her for a third place finish with a time of 4:06.5—No. 4 on the Swede all-time chart—were Regan Geiken, Aryn Meisinger and MaKaela Franzen.

Senior Emily Franzen earned a medal in the discus. She placed eighth with a toss of 112-5.

“Emily Franzen did a great job in placing in the discus,” coach Reeves said. “She wasn’t in the flight where the bigger throwers were. She kind of clawed her way through and got to the finals and got eighth place. I was very pleased with that.”

Geiken couldn’t crack the finals in the 400, although she ran a personal best time of 60.62, good enough for No. 8 on the all-time chart.

“The 400 meters this year was a stacked event,” Reeves said. “I’ve never seen eight girls having to run under 59 just to get to the finals. Usually a 60 point something gets you into the finals.”

The Swede coach praised his team for their character and competitiveness at the state meet. “I really felt they represented Gothenburg quite well,” he said.

While acknowledging the contributions and leadership of the seniors, he said the squad has great potential for success next season.

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